The Argument Essay

1. The Argument Essay

2. Journal Activity In your journal, please respond to the following question: Do you know someone who is skilled at arguing? What qualities do they have? What makes them successful?

3. Time to Discuss We often think of argument as something negative and personal, but of course, argument is everywhere. Go to the discussion board titled “Discuss: Argument in Action.”

4. The Appeals To understand argument, you should understand the different ways argument is used. We talk about argument in much the same way Aristotle did. He submitted the following “appeals:”

5. 1 - The Pathetic Appeal (pathos) Writer/speaker appeals to reader’s emotions, values, or attitudes ; chooses examples readers will favor or support sound clip Some of these might include: family, patriotism, human love, loyalty, old fashioned values, beauty, etc.

6. The Pathetic Appeal, cont’d. Click here: Ranch Click here: Coke Notice that Hidden Valley is using different pathetic appeals in this ad: • Using children (everyone loves children, right?) • Using vegetables/health (which means Hidden Valley must want you to be healthy, right?) Notice that Coke is using also using pathetic appeals to sell their product: • Using the slogan “open happiness.” (We all want to be happy, so that means buying Coke?)\ • Showing young people (we all desire to look/feel young) • Using excitement to generate a feeling that we then associate with their product

7. The Pathetic Appeal, cont’d. Take a look at the following web sites. Do you see the pathetic appeals? Ford trucks - click here Notice the background—who is the potential buyer? What is Ford saying about their product? Johnson & Johnson - click here What is this company trying to say about their products? How might this persuade a buyer?

8. 2 - The Logical Appeal (logos) Appeals to reason by using: sound clip • Logic • Data • Sound support of thesis

9. The Logical Appeal, cont’d. Click here: Bayer Click here: Powerbar Notice the way the makers of Bayer Aspirin use logical appeals: • Telling the viewer that Bayer Aspirin has been around for 100 years. • Telling the viewer that no other medicine has ever been proven to be more effective. Notice the different logical appeals on this site: • 2nd place Ironman winner uses Powerbar (so shouldn’t you buy a Powerbar?) • Notice there is an entire section dedicated to “athletes” (claiming their product is a tool, not just an energy bar)

10. The Logical Appeal (logos) Take a look at the following web sites. Do you see the logical appeals? Clorox - click here How is Clorox trying to convince consumers that this product is necessary? Total Cereal - click here How does Total use facts and data? Is it convincing?

11. 3 - The Ethical Appeal (ethos) With this appeal, the writer (or speaker) argues from their own credibility or authority. Sound clip For example, let’s say a man named George writes a letter to the local paper complaining about privacy rights. He closes the letter with “by the way, I’m a rocket scientist.” Why would George mention this? What does George want his reader to realize?

12. The Ethical Appeal, cont’d. George wants his reader to understand that he is intelligent. And, if George is intelligent, it must mean that his ideas are correct—right? Of course not! But George is using an ethical appeal to make his ideas seem more credible.

13. The Ethical Appeal (ethos) Take a look at the following web sites. Do you see the ethical appeals? Crest - click here How is this company establishing its credibility? Land Rover - click here And this one?

14. Click to read an interesting article on the appeals: Article

15. Now that you’ve seen the types of arguments we use, let’s move on and talk about what makes a successful argument.

16. Features of good argument

17. Features of Good Argument • Doesn’t alienate the reader Have you ever felt insulted by someone who is trying to persuade you? Were you open to their ideas? Sound clip

18. Features of Good Argument: Doesn’t Alienate Ways you might alienate your reader: • Name calling • Condescending tone • Speaking from anger • Falling into emotional traps • Ignoring your audience (if you’re a Republican and you’re speaking to Democrats, doesn’t that change how you choose your words?)

19. Features of Good Argument: Don’t Alienate I recently read a student essay focusing on immigration. As an instructor, I feel it’s important that I am open to all kinds of ideas. However, as I read the student’s essay, it became clear (through derogatory slang, comments and other hate-filled rhetoric) that the author was simply full of hate. This alienated me as a reader—so after just a few minutes, I had “closed” my mind. I was no longer open to listening to what the author had to say.

20. Features of Good Argument 2. Uses different types of appeals An argument that only uses facts, or an argument that only uses emotion, is a one dimensional argument. For a strong, well-supported argument, try to incorporate all of the appeals. Notice that a good politician is quite good at this. He/she may talk about “family values” in one breath, but quote demographic data in the next.

21. Features of Good Argument 3. Avoids logical fallacies sound clip Fallacies are poor argument, and we hear them all the time. One example is “the bandwagon fallacy.” This is the fallacy that claims everyone is doing it, and you should too!

22. Features of Good Argument Time to discuss! Sound clip Do an online search for “argument fallacies.” Post one to our discussion board called “Discuss: Share a Fallacy.” Give an example to help everyone understand the fallacy.

23. Choosing a topic

24. Topics • Make sure it’s a narrow topic(gun control, abortion, and immigration are too large!) • Avoid topics you don’t think you can discuss rationally (things you won’t compromise on, topics that make you too emotional, etc. . . . ) • Avoid these topics (my taboo list): abortion, smoking, euthanasia

25. Topic ideas – look everywhere! From History Should we have dropped the “A” bomb? Should we have repealed prohibition? Should we have given up the Panama Canal? Was the French Revolution preventable? The truth behind a “conspiracy” (Pearl Harbor, moon landing, the Holocaust, Jimmy Hoffa’s death, Marylyn Monroe’s death, etc.)

26. From Government Issues • Reasons to get rid of the electoral college • Reasons the economic bail out plan is a bad idea/good idea • Why a specific law should be changed or amended • Arguing for/against a specific policy From Local Issues • Arguing for changes to the Brazos Mall • Arguing for/against X in your city • Arguing for speed limit change, etc.

27. From Interests • Do the Hell’s Angels deserve their reputation? • Reasons why The Red Hot Chili Peppers deserve a lifetime achievement award • Reasons why Paris Hilton doesn’t deserve her fame • Reasons why X movie should/shouldn’t receive an Oscar • Arguing that Ford Motors should change their business strategy • Arguing that X person should have won the reality show Project Runway • Arguing that current red snapper laws are unfair • Etc.!

28. From Current Events • Arguing that O.J. Simpson did/didn’t get a fair trail with his kidnapping charge • Arguing that Madonna should/shouldn’t be allowed to adopt more children • Arguing that the US should/should not leave the Middle East • Arguing that the “balloon boy’s” parents are guilty/not guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. • Arguing that HPV vaccinations should/shouldn’t be required for all young girls • Arguing that “Swine Flu” is not truly an epidemic • Etc.

29. Use your imagination to find interesting, controversial topics. Check web sites, talk to others, think about your interests, journal, and observe everything as you think: could this be a topic?

30. The Assignment • Page Length: 5-6 pages • Sources: 5 minimum • Other: works cited page

31. The Assignment Should be your best work • Few errors • Few MLA issues • Superior reasoning/logic • Research should include plenty of “expert” sources

32. The Assignment Formality Level: Professional • Use 3rd person exclusively (you may use 1st person in the introduction and conclusion if necessary) • Keep it rational • Avoid slang • Avoid “filler words” (“you know,” “and so on,” etc.)